A STRANGE LOOP On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 16

[forfivemoreminutes]

Posted: 4/26/22 at 11:24pm

As a huge fan of both Six and A Strange Loop, I think A Strange Loop is certainly the more Important show - I felt more enriched leaving ASL than I did leaving Six (even though I’ve seen Six literally dozens of times), and I think ASL is a show that NEEDS to be on Broadway and has never really been on Broadway before. I do think Six is a lot of fun and has great music, and it’s progressive in some ways (I think All You Wanna Do is actually a VERY revolutionary song in my corner of the universe where for centuries people have portrayed Katherine Howard as a stupid naive slut, and to have a song that depicts her in a more historically accurate way as a victim of grooming and abuse is a huge deal for people who are into British history, as I am), but not nearly to the degree it COULD be. I get frustrated with the book and the concept of Six for this reason. It could be so much more transformative than it is. Whereas ASL just goes *all the way* and I love it for that. ASL speaks its truth without catering to the fears and sensitivities of white audiences.

I do think ASL wins the Tony for best book, Six wins for best score, and it’s a toss up between the two for best musical. But honestly I’d be thrilled if either of them won - we’ve been blessed this season with excellent new musicals, honestly. And whichever one wins shouldn’t detract from the other - I think the actors and creatives of both would be cheering the other on if it won for best musical.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/26/22 at 11:24pm

With these reviews, Loop wins the Tony. SIX might be good, but it doesn’t have a chance. Plus, they don’t even need to win Best Musical to have a long life on Broadway. 
A Strange Loop takes top honors and runs as long as Fun Home and/or The Band’s Visit. I’ve said it before, I just said it again. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 1:10am

forfivemoreminutes said: "Rakesh Natarajan said: "Kad said: "Oleksinski’s review is remarkably juvenile."

Yeah... I'm not really a fan of how he dedicated two paragraphs of his review to complaining about how the show uses profane language:

"Prepare your ears: The musical is also absolutely filthy. If “Spring Awakening” or “The Book of Mormon” had you reaching for your rosary, best bring along some holy water and frankincense for this one. On the language front, Jackson goes overboard.

The amount of beyond-vulgar sex talk in this show is really through the roof. And not in any kind of brave, “to boldly go” way. One term — to find a euphemism for it would take a supercomputer — said during a hookup with a racist white guy almost made me lose my lunch."

I also don't think his critiques about how the show doesn't give us a break from Usher's misery are entirely valid (or representative of the show's actual message either):

"There’s no respite from Usher’s misery, since even his art is, well, about his misery. The show amounts to a series of disappointments leading to the conclusion that life is nothing but a series of disappointments. So, grin and bear it.""

The comment about there being no respite from Usher’s misery is something that would never be said about a play about white people written by a white person. Has this dude never seen Les Miserables? It’s literally called THE MISERABLES. There is no respite from misery there either…and yet that kind of show doesn’t get the same critique. Because it’s only *Black* men who have to be strong all the time and can’t be vulnerable throughout a 100 minute musical."

Eh, I don't think that's a fair claim. You've not read his review of Les Miz. You're just assuming. I. didn't really read his review as a negative. It felt very on the fence of like "I liked parts, but I think I'd like it in a smaller venue" vibe. Which, he's a critic, he's entitled to his opinion. I enjoy his reviews for his frankness. 

The language thing is whatever. The podcasts I listen to he'd probably have a heart attack. 

There's no way A Strange Loop doesn't win the Tony. it's def a prestige musical and I think (from what I've seen / heard ) it's great. 

[inception]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 8:59am

forfivemoreminutes said: " This show is unapologetically a “big Black queer-ass American Broadway show” and very purposefully does NOT cater to white audiences,

But does this show cater to a Black audience?  To me it seems like it will be just as wholly offensive to plenty of Black families.  I don't see the audience that flocks every year to see the Alvin Ailey company rushing to buy tickets to this.

I often wonder the age of posters here?  As a now "older" gay man in who has been HIV for over 20 years, I purchased & listened to the off-Bway cast album when it was released & my reaction was, "Grow up & get over yourself."  Maybe for a young audience who is still at that stage in life where they think their trauma makes them special - maybe it speaks to them?

For myself, I've had plenty of trauma & I've learned that is doesn't make me special.  I hope it has made me feel more compassion for others going through difficulties.   Yet it has also given me the perspective to say, at a certain point you have to stop feeling sorry for yourself and just get on with life.

Also, when I listened to the recording, I was surprised at how actually awful the music is. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 9:04am

I'm reminded of this from Title of Show:

"I'd rather be nine people's favorite thing than a hundred people's ninth favorite thing."

How this translates into the box office is another story.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 9:15am

Reviews don't always transfer into award. Remember, not all the voting membership is "woke".

 

That being said, I have no horse in this race.  I am not rooting FOR nor AGAINST any show.  I had more fun at Six, respected and liked ASL, and didn't get a chance to see Girl from North Country.  (sadly)

I'm happy that so many critics saw in the show what so many of you connected with.

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 9:24am

inception said:

But does this show cater to a Black audience? To me it seems like it will be just as wholly offensive to plenty of Black families. I don't see the audience that flocks every year to see the Alvin Ailey company rushing to buy tickets to this.”

I disagree. I don’t know any black gay millennial who has seen the show and doesn’t feel some sort of connection to it. It highlights the good, bad, and the ugly of being black and queer, and it’s VERY accurate. That’s why (most) black gays love the show. We don’t get representation of our experience like this.  
 

 

[Lot666]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 9:42am

It concerns me that Oleksinski of The New York Post is still reporting that "the sound balance on Broadway is off, and it's hard to hear the lyrics over the band".

I sure hope they get this fixed soon.

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 9:43am

Lot666 said: "It concerns me that Oleksinski of The New York Post is still reporting that "the sound balance on Broadway is off, and it's hard to hear the lyrics over the band".

I sure hope they get this fixed soon."

Honestly if it hasn’t been fixed by now..

[BdwyFan]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 10:14am

I agree. And let’s note that the American Theater Wing represents about 40% of voters. Road presenters about 10%.   I hate to say but it may be a numbers game.  Only like 800 voters in total assuming they’ve seen all the shows. Many will go SIX for sure.  And I liked Loop.   

[Lot666]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 10:22am

YvanEhtNioj said: "Lot666 said: "It concerns me that Oleksinski of The New York Post is still reporting that "the sound balance on Broadway is off, and it's hard to hear the lyrics over the band".

I sure hope they get this fixed soon."

Honestly if it hasn’t been fixed by now.."

If the current sound designer can't do this properly, then it's time to hire a new one. It's now or never for this show.

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 11:22am

Genuinely surprised by how well-received this show is. Huge congrats to the team involved, but I found this to be one of the most overhyped and least focused shows of the season. 

Also, while I did not agree with many parts of Oleksinski's review, his point about the "beyond-vulgar" talk in the show is true. I know I sound like such a prude but in my opinion, this show did go over the top in terms of its graphic elements.

When it comes to the Tony, I personally think Six is in a different league in terms of being a well-polished and well-engineered show. I think of Six as laser-sharp and witty, where Strange Loop is over-the-top and not nearly as satisfying as a theatergoer. 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 11:29am

Well, the word of mouth on this board and the reviews last night made me decide to swap out Chicago with Pamela Anderson for A Strange Loop instead during my May trip - I hope I am making a good decision! I got front mezzanine row E seat 107. I am guessing this will be a good view? 

Also - I thought Telecharge was allowing refunds/exchanges on their website through the end of the month (I refunded my Phantom ticket from my orders page with the click of a button last week), but I don't see that option for my Chicago order (or any other orders) now... I sent them an email, but was wondering if anyone knew what was going on with that?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 11:31am

Two Tony questions:

1) Do we think anyone sneaks into the Featured race? Antwayn Hopper and/or John-Andrew Morrison in Feat Actor? L Morgan Lee in Feat Actress?

2) Do we think Stephen Brackett gets a nomination for Best Director? The show is pretty slick, but it kind of works in spite of his direction. He has never wowed me as a director.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 11:38am

One thing I find odd is that people are getting so upset when the “graphic”, for lack of a better word, language in the show is mentioned. Now this is coming from me, a former phone sex operator. But yeah it IS graphic in parts and I’m glad it’s being mentioned so people going in can be aware. Imagine being a family on vacation with your kids and end up listening to a conversation about swallowing loads and having your hole prolapse. AGAIN - I’m not saying I give a sh*t about that but people do deserve to know that for a Broadway musical, it IS very graphic in its language. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 11:43am

"Sounds like a nice Easter pageant!" – Forbidden Broadway's spoof of midwest tourists at SPRING AWAKENING

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 11:48am

Well, the word of mouth on this board and the reviews last night made me decide to swap out Chicago with Pamela Anderson for A Strange Loop instead during my May trip - I hope I am making a good decision! I got front mezzanine row E seat 107. I am guessing this will be a good view? 

You are and yes. Have a wonderful time. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 11:48am

lololol

As someone who worked on the original SPRING AWAKENING, I remember the “adult themes” being something that was discussed A LOT. Looking back now, they seem rather tame. Ah, how times change. 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 11:55am

Observer is usually one of the first to post, but Cote's review didn't go up until this morning:

Review: ‘A Strange Loop’ Gracefully Explores Issues of Queer, Black Identity

https://observer.com/2022/04/review-a-strange-loop-gracefully-explores-issues-of-queer-black-identity/

"As we stagger to the end of the 2021-22 post-pandemic Broadway reboot, there are two best new musicals this season. Both are about Michael Jackson. Who are different people."

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 12:15pm

Great review. 

[Kad]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 12:59pm

ElephantLoveMedley said: "Genuinely surprised by how well-received this show is. Huge congrats to the team involved, but I found this to be one of the most overhyped and least focused shows of the season.

Also, while I did not agree with many parts of Oleksinski's review, his point about the "beyond-vulgar" talk in the show is true. I know I sound like such a prude but in my opinion, this show did go over the top in terms of its graphic elements.

When it comes to the Tony, I personally think Sixis in a different league in terms of being a well-polished and well-engineered show. I think ofSixaslaser-sharp and witty, whereStrange Loopis over-the-top and not nearly as satisfying as a theatergoer."

Why would you be surprised? This production received rave reviews twice already: off-Broadway and in DC. The material is Pulitzer Prize winning, amongst other awards it’s scooped up since 2019. This was on a glide path to acclaim. 

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 1:08pm

Kad said: "Why would you be surprised? This production received rave reviews twice already: off-Broadway and in DC. The material is Pulitzer Prize winning, amongst other awards it’s scooped up since 2019. This was on a glide path to acclaim."

My surprise extends to all of those accolades and acclaim as well!

[akhoya87]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 1:29pm

Lot666 said: "YvanEhtNioj said: "Lot666 said: "It concerns me that Oleksinski of The New York Post is still reporting that "the sound balance on Broadway is off, and it's hard to hear the lyrics over the band".

I sure hope they get this fixed soon."

Honestly if it hasn’t been fixed by now.."

If the current sound designer can't do this properly, then it's time to hire a new one. It's now or never for this show."

FWIW, Adam Feldman from TimeOut also commented about the sound issues:

https://twitter.com/FeldmanAdam/status/1519320858690523138

FWIW, my main quibble with the Broadway version of A Strange Loop, if I had to make one, is that the sound design could be clearer. I hope they'll tweak this aspect. The words are worth hearing.

I sat Orch Row E on Monday, and sometimes couldn't hear the vocals over the band.  (The previous comment about lyrical density is spot on, I think -- I'd seen the show once before and have listened to the album a few times, and still couldn't make out what they were saying in parts of a few songs.)

Updated On: 4/27/22 at 01:29 PM

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 1:47pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Two Tony questions:

1) Do we think anyone sneaks into the Featured race? Antwayn Hopper and/or John-Andrew Morrison in Feat Actor? L Morgan Lee in Feat Actress?

2) Do we think Stephen Brackett gets a nomination for Best Director? The show is pretty slick, but it kind of works in spite of his direction. He has never wowed me as a director."

1. I'm guessing that John-Andrew Morrison and L Morgan Lee will both be nominated in their respective categories.

2. Since there are 13 musical productions in contention this season, there will automatically be 5 nominees for Best Direction of a Musical this year. I currently think the lineup will include...

Jamie Armitage & Lucy Moss-Six
Stephen Brackett-A Strange Loop
Marianne Elliott-Company
Michael Longhurst-Caroline, or Change
Conor McPherson-Girl From the North Country

[JSquared2]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 1:51pm

Jeffrey Karasarides said: Since there are 13 musical productions in contention this season, there will automatically be 5 nominees for Best Direction of a Musical this year. I currently think the lineup will include...

Jamie Armitage & Lucy Moss-Six
Stephen Brackett-A Strange Loop
Marianne Elliott-Company
Michael Longhurst-Caroline, or Change
Conor McPherson-Girl From the North Country"

 

There's no way that both Christopher Wheeldon (MJ) and Jerry Zaks (MUSIC MAN) don't get in here --  probably in lieu of STRANGE LOOP and GIRL FROM NORTH COUNTRY.